Decorative device, system and process thereof

ABSTRACT

A decorative device adapted for securing to a shoe lace attached to a shoe, wherein the device includes: a body selected from the following group shapes when viewed from a top view: ovoid, kidney bean, cigar, square, or circular; wherein the device includes at least an upper surface joined a lower surface wherein the lower surface is relatively flat and adapted to engage an upper contacting surface of the shoe, when in use; and wherein the device includes a bore in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of Australian Provisionalapplication no. 2013903164 filed on Aug. 21, 2013 and AustralianProvisional application no. 2013903656 filed on Sep. 23, 2013, each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FILED OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a decorative device, system and processthereof. More specifically, the present invention may preferable beadapted to be used with or in conjunction with shoe laces fitted toshoes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shoe lace decorations have been previously used to increase theindividuality of shoes for the wearer. Typically, shoe lace decorationswere aimed to increase visibility of the shoe and allow the user orwearer to express an element of individuality.

Prior to the present invention, shoe lace decorations were generallyclipped onto existing shoes using complicated attachment means.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely knownor forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved

There has been a long felt need for a decorative device, system orprocess that allows people wearing shoes to individualise or accessoriesregular shoes.

The present invention may also aim to provide a decorative device,system or process that overcomes problems associated with the prior artassociated with complex locking or securing mechanisms.

Further, it may also be a long felt need for a decorative device thatpreferably doesn't move, when in use, into a configuration wherein thedecorative device is no longer visible or has been dislocated from thepreferred position.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate atleast one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a usefulalternative.

Means for Solving the Problem

A first aspect of the present invention may relates to a decorativedevice adapted for securing to a shoe lace attached to a shoe, whereinthe device includes: a body selected from the following group shapeswhen viewed from a top view: ovoid, kidney bean, cigar, square, orcircular; wherein the device includes at least an upper surface joined alower surface wherein the lower surface is relatively flat and adaptedto engage an upper contacting surface of the shoe, when in use; andwherein the device includes a bore in the direction of the longitudinalaxis of the device.

Preferably, the bore includes a diameter of between 2 to 4 mm and thebore may be adapted to receive a shoe lace.

Preferably, the bore is oriented in a direction parallel to the lowersurface. The bore may be positioned closer to the midpoint of the lowersurface than the midpoint of the upper surface.

Preferably, the decorative device has a length less than 2 cm.Additionally, the decorative device may have a width between 0.5 to 1cm.

Preferably, the upper surface of the decorative device may be convex andmay also include a recessed portion.

Further aspects of the present invention may include the processdescribed in the embodiments and the system described in theembodiments.

In the context of the present invention, the words “comprise”,“comprising” and the like are to be construed in their inclusive, asopposed to their exclusive, sense, that is in the sense of “including,but not limited to”.

The invention is to be interpreted with reference to the at least one ofthe technical problems described or affiliated with the background art.The present aims to solve or ameliorate at least one of the technicalproblems and this may result in one or more advantageous effects asdefined by this specification and described in detail with reference tothe preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of an first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 depicts a top view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of an fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of an fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 depicts a top view of a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 depicts a side view of a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 depicts a top view of a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 depicts a side view of a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 depicts a top view of a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 depicts a side view of a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 15 depicts perspective view of at least some of the preferredembodiments of the present invention shown in use and positioned on shoelacing on a pair of shoes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings and non-limiting examples.

A second embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 & 4 of the preferred inventionis a device generally shaped to look like a jelly bean or a kidney beanshape. This second embodiment is a decorative device adapted to beattached to shoe laces for increasing their visibility and addingindividual expression to a shoe by decorating the laces.

Further embodiments, preferably, may be in the shape or form of stylisedlolly. Preferably, the devices are in the range of 1 to 2 cm long, 0.5to 1 cm in width with a bore or hole running through the deviceapproximately along the longitudinal axis of the device.

The bore is preferably 2-4 mm in diameter and more preferably 3.5 mm.The bore is adapted to allow for the threading of shoe laces through thebore. This threading allows the decorative devices to be secured to theshoe.

The preferred maximum length of the device is generally less than thewidth between the eyelets of a shoe to which the device is attached,when the shoe lace is tightened and secured to a foot in the regularmanner.

Preferably, multiple devices may mounted or threaded or positioned alongthe ribbing of the shoe lace, wherein the ribbing is defined as beingthe length of shoe lace distributed between two parallel sets ofeyelets.

According to further embodiments, the shape or configuration of thedevices may any interesting shape less than the width of the ribbing.Typically, to be suitable for children's shoes, the length of the devicemust be no greater than about 2 cm.

Other embodiments include other shapes are shown and depicted in theaccompanying figures, these include: circular, ovoid, square and cigarshaped, when viewed from a top view. Generally, the devices are of asmooth finish and constructed of resin or other relatively rigidpolymer.

Typically the devices are constructed by a process, whereby the devicesare constructed of resign. The resin is melted and poured into moulds,then the moulds are removed. The devices are then sanded to removeburrs, and then air blasted to further smooth the outer surface. A holeor bore is drilled along the length of the device.

Additives may be added to the resin to provide coloured effects orincrease visibility of the device, and these additives may include:

Three different groups of colours and/or additives including thefollowing categories.

TRANSPARENT COLOURS

-   Emerald green-   Turquoise-   Aztec gold-   Magenta-   Shocking pink-   Mandarine-   Honey brown-   Fluorescent orange-   Kelly green-   Scarlet red-   Bright purple-   Brilliant blue-   Fluorescent lime-   Violet-   Red-   Fluorescent yellow-   Lemon yellow

OPAQUE PIGMENTS

-   Green-   Red-   Blue-   Burnt umber-   Black-   Skin tone-   Chrome yellow-   White-   Orange-   Violet

PEARL PIGMENTS

-   Pale gold-   Silver-   Super bronze-   Sky blue-   Brilliant yellow-   Flamingo pink-   True blue-   Super copper-   Aztec gold-   Duo red-Blue-   Reflex violet-   Sparkle gold-   Salmon pink-   Misty lavender-   Mink-   Spring green-   Pumpkin orange-   Pearl white-   Blue russet

GLOW IN THE DARK

Luminescent powder mixed with clear resin including the followingpigments:

-   1. Ultra Green-   2. Ultra blue-   3. Pure blue-   4. White-   5. Daytime yellow (vibrant yellow day time colour/Green-yellow glow    colour)-   6. Daytime pink (vibrant pink day colour/orange-peach glow colour-   7. Super phos Green-   8. Super phos Aqua-   9. Super phos Blue-   10. Super phos White-   11. Super phos Violet-   12. Super phos Red

Importantly, the devices generally have lolly like appearance withbright colours and familiar lolly shapes. The devices are typicallyrounded with one longitudinal side of the device sanded or moulded flat.When in use, the flat side is adapted to rest or be pushed against thetongue or upper contacting surface of the shoe preventing or limitingthe device from rolling around the shoe lace when in use.

Preferably, the embodiments of the present invention included rounded orchamfered edges to prevent the decorative devices being accidentallycaught on shoes or people, when in use.

Glow in dark pigments or dyes may be added to increase visibility atnight.

A first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 & 2. FIGS. 1 and 2 depict adecorative device 1 in the general shape and configuration of a boiledlolly. The decorative device 1 includes a rounded upper surface 2. Abore 3 has been drilled through the approximate centre of thelongitudinal axis of the decorative device 1. The bore 3 is adapted toreceive a shoe lace when in use.

The decorative device 1 also includes a lower surface 5 which is adaptedto engage the tongue or upper contacting surface of a shoe, when in use.Preferably, the lower surface 5 is adapted to be relatively flat orlinear and may generally prevent or limit accidental rotation of thedecorative device 1, when in use.

The edges running along the length of the decorative device 1 include aruffled edge 4 to give the appearance of the decorative device 1 being aboiled lolly.

Preferably, the bore 3 should preferably be adjusted or modified so thatit is closer to the midpoint of the lower surface 5 than midpoint of theupper surface 2. This may also reduce the torque or rotational forcesexperienced by the decorative device 1 to reduce or ameliorate thelikelihood of rotation of the device. The bore 3 has been depicted asbeing oriented in a direction generally parallel the lower surface 5.

FIGS. 2 & 3 depict a second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the decorative device 1 as shown in the figure is ageneral jelly bean shape or kidney bean shape. This embodiment hassimilar features to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 & 2.

Further, the bore 3 has been positioned significantly closer to themidpoint of the lower surface 5 than the midpoint of the upper surface2.

Additionally, it is noted that the bore 3 is a straight bore and doesnot necessarily conform the overall bent shape of this decorative device1 shown in FIG. 3.

The third embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. This third embodimentis similar to the first embodiment but wherein the decorative device 1is generally circular when viewed from the top view.

The third embodiment includes a collar region 6 joining the uppersurface 2 to the lower surface 5. The upper surface is generally convex.The collar region is wide enough to allow for the positioning of thebore 3 through the decorative device 1 at a location wherein the boreenters and exits the device via the collar region 6.

The third embodiment is generally lolly shaped.

The fourth embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 7 & 8. The fourth embodimentis similar to the third embodiment. However, in this embodiment theupper surface 2 includes a concave region 7 mounted in the centre of theotherwise convex upper surface 2. Preferably, the concave region 7 issmaller in diameter than the upper surface 2.

Preferably, the bore is closer the midpoint of the lower surface thanthe midpoint of the concave region 7.

The fifth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9 & 10 and is a general ovoidshape and includes the general features of the third embodiment.

The sixth embodiment shown and depicted in FIGS. 11 & 12, is similar tothe third embodiment, but the distance between the lower surface 5 andthe bore 3 has been increased to allow for rounding of the cornersbetween the collar region 6 and the lower surface 5. It is important tonote that the bore is closer to the midpoint of the lower surface 5 thanthe midpoint of the upper surface 2.

The seventh embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 13 & 14, and includes agenerally square or rectangular shaped decorative device, when viewedfrom the top view. This seventh embodiment is similar to the fourthembodiments and includes a collared region 6 and a concave region 7. Theconcave region 7 has been modified to accommodate the generally squareor rectangular shape of the overall design in this embodiment. Theregion 7 in this embodiment is better described as a recessed region.

FIG. 15 demonstrates and depicts the seventh and second embodiments ofthe present invention mounted or positioned on a shoe 151. Wherein thebore 3 of the decorative devices has received a shoe lace 154 andmounted or positioned above the upper contacting surface 153 of the shoeor the tongue of the shoe. The lower surface 5 is positioned against theshoe's upper contacting surface 153 to prevent rolling or dislodgment ofthe decorative device 1.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificexamples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theinvention may be embodied in many other forms, in keeping with the broadprinciples and the spirit of the invention described herein.

The present invention and the described preferred embodimentsspecifically include at least one feature that is industrial applicable.

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative device adapted for securing to ashoe lace attached to a shoe, wherein the device includes: a bodyselected from the following group shapes when viewed from a top view:ovoid, kidney bean, cigar, square, or circular; wherein the deviceincludes at least an upper surface joined a lower surface wherein thelower surface is relatively flat and adapted to engage an uppercontacting surface of the shoe, when in use; and wherein the deviceincludes a bore in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the device.2. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein the bore includes adiameter of between 2 to 4 mm.
 3. The decorative device of claim 1,wherein the bore is adapted to receive a shoe lace.
 4. The decorativedevice of claim 1, wherein the bore is oriented in a direction parallelto the lower surface.
 5. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein thebore is positioned closer to the midpoint of the lower surface than themidpoint of the upper surface.
 6. The decorative device of claim 1,wherein the decorative device has a length less than 2 cm.
 7. Thedecorative device of claim 1, wherein the decorative device has a widthbetween 0.5 to 1 cm.
 8. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein theupper surface is convex.
 9. The decorative device of claim 8, whereinthe upper surface includes a recessed portion.